Sealed multiple glazed unit



May 20, 1958 R. H. TAYLOR ETAL SEALED MULTIPLE GLAZED UNIT Filed Nov. 17, 1955 ga /Viviana a R a 5 T 1 NM m V" II o m E R n DOUG-AS HAROLD FIELDHOUOI ATTORMYQ PATENT United tates Patent 2,834,999 SEALED MULTIPLE GLAZED UNIT Richard H. Taylor and Douglas H. Fieldhouse, Winnipeg,

Manitoba, Canada, assignors to Coldstream Refrigerator Mfg. Ltd., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Application November 17, 1955, Serial No. 547,573

1 Claim. (Cl. 20-56.5)

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in Window units, specifically window frames designed to hold a plurality of transparent panels in spaced andparallel relationship, the principal object and essence of our invention being to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is easily assembled, and yet which provides an eflicient moisture proof seal around the four sides of the window panels.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which eliminates the necessity of having channel frame members slotted to receive the individual panels.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which provides a certain amount of flexibility to the window panels, thus reducing the danger of fracture thereto, due to vibration and the like.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the vapour seal is of a nature that does not dry out or oxidise, thus maintaining its efficiency for a considerable time.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is easily assembled, economical in manufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the foregoing objects in view, and such other objects and advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, our invention consists essentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multi light window within a frame.

Figure 2 is a enlarged cross-sectional view through one edge of Figure l substantially along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing a four panel construction.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the diiferent figures.

Proceeding now to describe our invention in detail, it will be seen upon reference to Figure 1 that we have illustrated a sealed multiple glazed window assembly collectively designated consisting of a perimetrical frame 11 within which are secured the window panels 12, it being understood that the frame and panels are made up in one unit prior to installation, whereupon they may be installed within existing frames by conventional means (not illustrated) The unit 10 consists of a pen'metrical U shaped channel 13 comprising side flanges 14 and an outer wall 15, the corners 16 where the channels join being mitred as illustrated.

A plurality of transparent panels 17 are held within the perimetrical channel 13 being maintained in spaced andparallel relationship one with the other by the provision of a flexible vapour-permeable separator or spacing strip 18 which extends around the four sides of the unit, but is spaced from the edges 19 thereof, as clearly illustrated. This separator is preferably made of sponge rubber or plastic equivalent, which will permit any water vapour existing between the panels 17 to pass through the separator to a desiccant 20 such as silica gel or equivalent which is contained within the area formed by the outer edge 21 of the separator and the projecting extremities 22 of the panels. Two layers of water or moisture resistant tape 23 are situated between the panels 17 and the inner surfaces 24 of the channel and cover all ofthe inner surfaces of the channel.

Finally, a vapour seal 25 is situated between the edges 19 of the panels and the inner surfaces 24 of the wall 15 of the channel.

This vapour seal is preferably of the material known as perma-gum and is flexible, non-oxidising, non-drying and non-hydroscopic. It is laid in the channel in a semifiuid state whereupon the edges 19 of the panels are embedded therein, thus making an effective seal whichis maintained for a considerable length of time due to its characteristics. The perma-gum seal also bonds itself to the inner surface of the tape 23, thus making an cilicient vapour seal.

Figure 3 shows a similar construction to that illustrated in Figure 2 with the exception that in this case, four panels are provided and it will be appreciated that the assembly method is exactly the same and that the unit can, if desired, be made with two, three or four panels.

Once the channel 13 is wrapped around the assembly and locked at the corners as by welding or similar means, there is an effective vapour proof tape sea-l extending clear around the perimeter of the panels, together with a flexible perma-gum seal covering all of the raw edges of the panels. Furthermore, the spaces between adjacent panels are maintained clear of any water vapour that may be entrapped therein by the vapour permeable separators permitting the passage thereof to the desiccant extending around all four sides and between adjacent pair of panels.

Since various modifications can'be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claim without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

What we claim as our invention is:

In a sealed multiple glazed unit, the combination of a frame channel including an outer wall and a pair of side flanges, a liner of moisture resistant tape covering the inner surfaces of said outer wall and side flanges, a gumlike vapor seal provided on said liner of tape covering the inner surface of said outer wall, at least two spaced transparent panels mounted in said channel in contact with the liner of tape covering the inner surfaces of the respective side flanges, marginal edges of said panels abutting said vapor seal, a spacing strip of rubber-like porous material provided between said panels and spaced inwardly from said vapor seal whereby to provide a chamber be-' tween the vapor seal and said spacing strip, and desiccant filler material provided in said chamber in contact with said panels and with said spacing strip, whereby the pores in the spacing strip maintain the space between said panels in communication with the desiccant filler in said chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,306,327 Baldwin et al. Dec. 22, 1942 

